“Jazz Appreciation Month” was created in 2001 to pay tribute to a music that is both living and historic.  April is an opportunity for music educators, jazz musicians, and local audiences to give this great American art form this recognition and appreciation it deserves.  Jazz culture has had a great influence on my life, and I hope to share it with others–check out the JAM events I’m organizing this month!

4/15 – Joel Gordon’s Happy Habitat @ 1890 (Platte City, MO)

4/19 – Northland Student Jam @ Platte County High School (Platte City, MO)

4/20 – Matt Cook Collective @ Homer’s Coffeehouse (Overland Park, KS)

4/21 – Matt Cook Collective @ Corbin Theater (Liberty, MO)

A modern piano trio I’m fortunate to perform and travel with is doing a tour this month to continue to build awareness and gain support for the natural disasters that happened in Puerto Rico in the past year.  We will be traveling from Missouri to the East Coast to perform concerts and share our campaign.

3/16 – Flyover Restaurant (Columbia, MO)

3/19 – Eastern Connecticut University (Willimantic, CT)

3/20 – Mansfield University (Mansfield, PA)

3/21 – Friends of Puerto Rico (Washington D.C.)

3/22 – Friends of Puerto Rico (Washington D.C.)

Please consider financially supporting Friends of Puerto Rico through JZC’s page.

I got to attend the Tribute to Kansas City Jazz event this month at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts with with a long-time Kansas City jazz patron, Jim Gordon (my dad).  At the front of the stage, Bobby Watson and Hermon Mehari lead the band while family-friend Chuck Haddix narrated the timeline of jazz music in Kansas City.   This event made me reflect and appreciate how many quality musicians Kansas City fosters, attracts, and sends out.

Below are a few links where jazz music can be found in Kansas City.  Check out these sites, showcasing Kansas City’s jazz scene for where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going:

Past – americanjazzmuseum.org

Present – kansascityjazzcalendar.org

Future – futurejazzkc.org

Megan and I returned from Washington D.C. for the 40th Navy International Saxophone Symposium.  I got to perform Fanny Mendelssohn’s “Piano Trio Op. 11” with our chamber ensemble, {trés}.  It was an honor to share this music with an audience of saxophonists and see many other great musicians.

We will be recording this piece with a few others in February and early March.  In late March, we will be heading to the East Coast to share this music with more live audiences.

Pictured: José Zayas-Cabán (soprano), Casey Rafn (piano), and Joel Gordon (tenor).

2017 was a great year for music–thank you to everyone for your support and helping spread the blessing of fine arts!  Here is a list of some highlights from the past year:

-Recorded and released the Matt Cook Collective debut album: “Along Those Lines”

-Played saxophone in six different states…and four times in little Platte City, where I live.

-Recorded three major classical works wit JZC and performed at three Universities.

-Tres was accepted to the Navy Saxophone Symposium to perform in Washington D.C..

– Joel Gordon’s Happy Habitat got off the ground with its first public show.

– First private student made the Missouri All-State Band. First private student make the honor list for Missouri All-State Jazz Band.

-Saw Branford Marsalis Quartet, John Raymond Reel Feels, King’s Kaleidoscope, and the Count Basie Orchestra perform live (all sitting nest to my beautiful wife, Megan).

Looking forward to the adventure that 2018 brings! Come back soon for updates on 2018 gigs. Merry Christmas to all and happy new year wishes! JG

Great first show with Joel Gordon’s Happy Habitat!  Wonderful turnout and a fun group to play with!

Finishing out the year in December with a couple of gigs with Matt Cook and the Collective:

12/22 – Magoon’s Famous Delicatessen – St. Joseph, MO: 9p-1a

12/23 – Uptown Arts Bar – Kansas City, MO: 7-9p

Pictured: Brian Steever (drums), Tim AuBuchon (tenor), Bill McKemy (bass), and Joel Gordon (alto).

Upcoming performances with trés will pay tribute to the natural disasters going on in Puerto Rico.  José was born in Puerto Rico and still has much extended family there.  Check out his page below to see our programs.

joseantonio-zayascaban.com/tribute-main/